How to Choose Noise Barrier Solution?

Noise in industrial operations can be a challenging yet necessary issue that companies must address. The operations of a manufacturing plant, construction site, and similar environments tend to be very loud, and this noise pollution can extend to the surrounding companies and neighboring residential areas. Moreover, the ongoing loud noises can impact the health and productivity of the onsite workers.

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To meet NIOSH and OSHA standards and regulations, businesses must use effective noise control solutions for industrial complexes and other production areas. These strategies have applications across manufacturing sites and industrial environments.

In this guide, we cover the nuances of noise control solutions adaptable to various industrial landscapes and manufacturing settings. We will also review the multiple challenges contractors, architects, engineers, and site managers face.  

Noise Control Challenges Across Industries

Every industry faces unique noise control challenges, from healthcare facilities to manufacturing plants. The key is to determine the specific challenges that you face and determine tailored solutions to mitigate against the industrial-level acoustic issues.

Here&#;s an overview of specific challenges faced by businesses in various industries and potential solutions that can help mitigate them:

Manufacturing Plants

High decibel levels from machinery.

Implement soundproofing measures, isolate noisy equipment, and consider investing in quieter technologies.

Data Centers

Electrical Substations

Utilize attenuated transformer technology, and install sound-absorptive peripheral walls around the transformers.

Offices and Call Centers

Open office layouts and constant communication.

Integrate sound-absorbing panels in designated quiet zones and encourage additional ear protection.

Highways and Rail

Increasing traffic volumes for both highway and transit rail is leading to elevated noise levels to adjacent communities.

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

Utilize attenuated baffles around intake and exhaust outlets, and install sound-absorptive peripheral walls around the site.

Site managers across industries can tailor these solutions to address specific noise challenges, fostering a more tranquil and compliant working environment. Effective industrial noise control enhances employee well-being, increases productivity, and ensures regulatory compliance.

These solutions foster a safer and more comfortable working environment, reducing the risk of hearing damage and associated health issues. In addition, it improves community relations by reducing the impact of industrial activities on surrounding neighborhoods.

Selecting Appropriate Noise Control Solutions for Industrial Settings

Choosing the right noise control solutions for your industry requires carefully assessing the specific noise sources, environmental conditions, and regulatory requirements. Here&#;s a step-by-step guide to help you make informed decisions:

1. Conduct a Noise Assessment

The first step is to identify and quantify the noise sources in your facility. This includes machinery, equipment, processes, and other activities that generate noise. These assessments, or Noise Studies, are conducted by professional Acoustical Engineers who have the specialized skills and software programs required for this exercise.

Measure the noise levels using appropriate equipment to determine the frequency and intensity of the noise.  Determine the most effective mitigation treatments for the specific noise source and site conditions.

2. Understand Regulatory Requirements

Familiarize yourself with local, national, and industry-specific regulations regarding noise levels and exposure limits. Ensure compliance with these standards to avoid legal issues and potential fines.

3. Prioritize Noise Sources

Identify and prioritize the most significant noise sources based on their contribution to overall noise levels. Focus on addressing the most critical sources first.

4. Consider Engineering Controls

Explore engineering controls as a means of noise reduction. This may involve modifying machinery, processes, or equipment to reduce noise emissions. Examples include installing mufflers, isolating vibrating equipment, or using quieter technologies.

5. Evaluate Administrative Controls

Implement administrative controls, such as scheduling noisy activities during less sensitive times or rotating employees to limit their exposure to noisy environments.

6. Consider Acoustic Barriers and Enclosures

Install barriers or enclosures around noisy equipment to contain and redirect the noise away from sensitive areas. This can be particularly effective for outdoor machinery or industrial processes.

• Outdoor Noise Sources:

  Use

  reinforced noise barrier walls

  with aesthetics, strength, weatherproofing, and high-end noise reduction.

  Mobile noise barriers

  are compact, portable sound control option ideal for space-constrained sites. These barriers effectively reduce noise emissions, providing flexibility and ease of deployment in areas with limited space.

• Indoor Noise Sources:

  Use acoustical materials for walls, flooring and windows.

• High-Volume Applications:

  Certain solutions are best suited for

  high-volume situations

  where other solutions may not be applicable.

7. Evaluate Sound-absorptive Materials

Use sound-absorbing materials like panels, walls or baffles to reduce reverberation and control noise levels. These sound attenuation panels can be strategically placed where noise tends to bounce and amplify.

8. Consider Long-Term Maintenance

Evaluate the maintenance requirements of the chosen noise control solutions. Regular inspections and upkeep are essential to ensure continued effectiveness.

Periodically reassess the noise levels in your facility to ensure that the implemented solutions remain effective. Adjust as needed to address any changes in equipment, processes, or environmental conditions.

Consult with Noise Control Experts

Engage with professionals specializing in noise control and acoustic engineering, such as those from Sound Fighter Systems. They can conduct a detailed analysis of your facility, recommend appropriate solutions, and help implement them. Contact us today to learn more about the industrial noise control solutions mentioned here in this guide.

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As population densities increase around the world, the issue of noise has become a very real problem.

Although we can become accustomed to many different types of repetitive noise, there are some sounds that require mitigation from a sound barrier wall, either because of their impact on a business or residence, or because their levels are sufficiently high to cause physical issues to the receivers.

While there are many products available to treat noise within interior environments, such as sound-proof windows, doors and building materials, treating outdoor soundproofing is considerably more challenging.

Nuisance noises from such activities as highways, trains, HVAC equipment and many other sources are frequently mitigated with the use of noise barriers, or sound wall.

As the name indicates, these structures are designed specifically to block unwanted sound waves from a particular source from reaching a particular receiver.

While traditional sound walls were comprised of simple materials like concrete or wood, some of today&#;s sound walls employ sophisticated sound-absorbing technology.

Instead of simply blocking and reflecting the sound waves in other directions much like an echo, these sound absorbing panels actually diffuse and absorb the unwanted sound waves

Consumers today have a broad variety of sound barrier material and options to choose from, including wood, concrete, metal and synthetic materials.

The level of performance and durability of each product dictates the cost. Researching and determining which barrier type is best for you is an important process, given the significant cost for an engineered sound wall.

1. Sound Barrier Wall Performance

As you would assume, the most common reason for purchasing a sound wall is to reduce unwanted noise from a specific source. And noise sources are all different.

For example, a simple swimming pool pump may emanate sound in the 65-80 decibel range, which is comparable to riding in a subway car.

On the other hand, jet engine testing facilities have noise sources that can run as loud as 150 dBA, which can cause severe hearing damage instantly.

Obviously, you would not require the same level of acoustical performance from a sound wall in these applications.

Given the typical cost-to-performance ratio for sound barriers, it is important to match a sound wall&#;s performance to your specific noise source, to ensure you achieve the desired mitigation in the most cost-effective manner.

2. Sound Wall Panel Design

Sound panels are the individual panels that compromise a noise barrier or sound wall. The design of the sound panels dictates their ability to mitigate targeted noise.

While simple sound panels made of wood, concrete, or metal do a good job of blocking noise from passing through them, they reflect sound in unwanted and unpredictable ways.

More sophisticated acoustic sound panels are designed to absorb and diffuse sound waves in addition to blocking them, thus eliminating the issue of reflected noise.

Research shows that whenever possible, the use of sound-absorbing material is always better than the use of reflective material.

3. Product Durability

Since outdoor soundproofing material is required all over the world in some of the harshest environments, durability is an important consideration when selecting a sound wall product.

If your application is in Phoenix, AZ or Midland, TX for example, you need a product that can withstand extreme heat and UV.

Conversely, if your application is in Fargo, ND, you may be more concerned about the product&#;s ability to withstand subzero temperatures for long stretches of time.

Some applications require sound walls to be fire rated or even bullet-proof. While others along the Gulf Coasts require extreme wind-loading capabilities.

Whatever the case may be, long term durability is a consistent requirement for all outdoor noise barriers, so it is imperative to use materials with long and successful track records of outdoor exposure and stability.

4. Manufacturer History

Since sound walls are expected to last and perform for decades after installation, choosing a sound wall manufacturer that has been in business for many years becomes incredibly important.

How can a company that is only five or ten years old make claims that their product can last decades?

While laboratory theories and white board performance projections are OK, time-tested, real-world experience are better than theories.

When it comes to selecting a sound wall company, try to locate one that has been around long enough to provide firsthand confirmation of their competencies and products.

5. Sound Wall Aesthetics

While considerations such as acoustic performance and product durability typically rank higher on the checklist, aesthetics do come into play for some buyers.

From an acoustical perspective, aesthetic treatments are somewhat limited in sound walls because the barriers are designed primarily for acoustical performance, and adding aesthetic components often diminish their net acoustic performance.

Some precast concrete sound walls offer patterned panels, while some of the synthetic sound walls such as fiberglass offer clean shiplap designs.

In most cases it is noise reduction that rules the day, and any aesthetic touches are simply the icing on the cake.

6. Ease of Installation

One of the key cost drivers for any sound wall is the complexity and cost of installation.

Traditional sound wall materials like precast concrete are extremely heavy and require large equipment and cranes to install.

Alternatively, progressive lightweight noise barrier materials are easily handled by hand and require very little heavy equipment.

Labor and equipment mean costs. Generally, the easier and faster the installation, the less expensive it will be.

7. How Much Does A Sound Wall Cost?

How much does a sound wall cost is probably the most commonly asked question by those needing a noise barrier. And as you can see from the considerations listed above, there are many factors that influence cost.

Technically, wood is sometimes considered a sound wall, and when compared to an engineered fiberglass wall panels like the SonaGuard barrier system, wood is &#;cheap.&#;

But you typically get what you pay for with sound walls. This is why it is so important to match the sound wall product to your specific noise source and application.

Remember &#; the worst-case scenario is using a less- expensive and under-performing sound wall product, then having to replace it entirely with a better product that should have been used initially.

8. Made in USA

If you were not already a proponent of using products made in America, then perhaps the recent revelation that most of our medical PPE and medicines are made overseas has converted you.

If you have a choice, buy sound wall products that are made here in America!

For more information, please visit Noise Barrier Solution.